Are Barney and Johnson the Leaders for Cubs Bench Jobs?

The Cactus League schedule is winding down. There are only 12 practice games remaining ... the Cubs 2011 season begins in two weeks. The Opening Day roster is starting to take shape. The Cubs have 40 players in big league camp (39 without Angel Guzman) after two roster cuts. According to a report from Bruce Levine, the Cubs could announce as early as Monday or Tuesday which two pitchers will follow Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano and Matt Garza in the rotation. Reportedly Randy Wells has locked up the fourth spot ... with Andrew Cashner the favorite to begin the year as the Cubs' fifth starter. According to the Sun-Times, Darwin Barney and Reed Johnson are "pulling away in races for the last two bench jobs." The Sun-Times reported "Barney has all but wrapped up a job" due to his performance and Augie Ojeda's lingering back problems. With all eyes on Opening Day, here's the update from Mesa ...